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Public presentations by four candidates for the position of UMM chancellor are underway. Candidates and presentation dates are Beth Barnett, U of Scranton (April 5) Jacqueline Johnson, Buena Vista U (April 10) John Miller, Eastern Oregon U (April 12) and Frank Cassell, U of Pittsburgh at Greensburg (April 17). Each date includes a formal presentation at 3 p.m. in Oyate Hall as well as a 5:30 p.m. reception followed by informal remarks at 6 p.m. at the Stevens County Historical Society. For more information, see http://www.morris.umn.edu/chansearch/.

Minnesota’s small towns and rural areas will show how they are “Working Better Together for the Common Good” – the theme for the combined Symposium on Small Towns and Minnesota Rural Summit, June 6 & 7 at UMM. Partners in the combined event this year include Minnesota Public Radio and the University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships. Minnesota Power and the West Central Initiative have signed on as sponsors thus far. The registration fee is $60 Minnesota Public Radio members receive a 10 percent discount. Children’s activities are planned and housing is available on- or off-campus. For more program information and registration information visit www.centerforsmalltowns.org or www.minnesotaruralpartners.org, or call ext. 6451.

Accomplishments

Greg Thorson, political science, has been notified that his article, "Testing the Three Theories of Legislative Organization: An Examination of Rule Assignments during the Postreform Period," has been accepted for publication in the journal Congress and the Presidency. Thorson co-authored the paper with two UMM graduates, Tasina Nitzchke (currently a Ph.D. candidate at Washington University in St. Louis) and Nick Maxwell (currently second year at the University of Minnesota Law School).

Janet Schrunk Ericksen, English, has published an article in a refereed journal in 2005: "Legalizing the Fall of Man," Medium AEvum (2005): vol. LXXIV, pp.205-220.

Hope Koehler, music, participated in several events over the last few months. She was engaged as a soloist with the American Spiritual Ensemble, a group of 20 professional singers whose mission is to promote the American Negro Spiritual as an art form. This group meets and travels together two to three times a year, singing all over the world. On their recent domestic tour, in January of this year, ASE sang in Indianapolis Chicago Clarksville, Tenn. Alexandria, La. Elizabethtown and Lexington, Ky. and Gulf Shores, Ala.

[Mpls Star Tribune, Mpls., 4/3/06] A commentary by Peter Wyckoff, biology, " Cellulose beats corn as a source of ethanol," appeared in this issue.

[U of M Web site 4/4/06] An item included mention of Vicente Cabrera's book reading at the U of M Bookstores. The St. Paul Pioneer Press also mentioned the event in the April 2 issue.

[The Land] A story by UMM alumna, Liz Morrison appears in this publication. Visit http://www.thelandonline.com/

Announcements

Attention 2006 Spring Graduates - Loan Exit Counseling: If you borrowed loans under the Ford Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Program you must participate in an exit counseling session. Federal regulations require all Direct Loan borrowers to complete their exit requirements in one of two ways to ensure that they understand their repayment obligations.
Direct Loan Counseling Online: Direct Loan borrowers may complete this obligation by visiting the on-line exit-counseling site (Department of Education PIN number required):
http://www.dlssonline.com/exitcounseling/ecec-main.asp
Direct Loan Counseling In-person Sessions: Direct Loan borrowers may complete this obligation by attending one of the scheduled in-person sessions.
Exit counseling sessions will be held in the Behmler Hall Conference Room 130 at the following dates/times (Sessions will begin every hour and last about 20 minutes): Monday, April 17, 1– 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Elementary or Secondary Education Program applicants: You must take PRAXIS I - Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) before entering either the elementary or secondary education program. The test is offered at UMM on April 29 and June 10. Also, all education students MUST pass all three areas of the PPST and all required sections of PRAXIS II before a Minnesota teaching license will be granted. Contact Counseling or Pat Nelson in the Education Division Office for information on registering immediately.

The next Chancellor's Open Office hour is Wednesday, April 12, at 3:30 p.m. All members of the UMM campus community are welcome to drop in to discuss topics which can be addressed in a short visit. Please note: These hours are subject to change. It is recommended that you check out the Web site: http://www.morris.umn.edu/academic/chancellor/OfficeHours.html the day you plan to drop in on the Chancellor or call his office at ext. 6020.

The Faculty Culture Task Force will hold an open forum for all interested faculty, staff, and students on Tuesday, April 11, 9-11 a.m. in ITV location, HFA #7. Members of the task force will seek feedback on draft recommendations that will be released in late March, as well as any other feedback or ideas participants wish to share. For more information, contact Karen Zentner Bacig at kbacig@umn.edu.

The campus community is invited to attend a Farewell Picnic for Sam and Nancy Schuman from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, May 1, on the campus Mall. This picnic-style event is sponsored by MCSA and Special Events. A short program will be held at 5 p.m. on the Mall's natural stage. Back-up site is Oyate Hall. All faculty, staff and students are cordially invited to attend.

Deadlines

Nominations for the UMM Academic Staff Award are due April 5, 2006. Suggestions for nominees may come from academic professionals, academic administrators, United Staff Association staff, faculty, students, or student organizations. Self nominations are also welcome. There should be a nominator who coordinates the compilation of a dossier. This person may enlist the aid of others, if desired. Five copies of the completed dossier, including the nomination form, must be received by the Morris Academic Staff Award Selection Committee by Wednesday, April 5, 2006. Please send to 362 Library. Contact Kathryn Gonier, MASA Committee member, at 589-6179 for additional information. Selection of the UMM Academic Staff Award recipient will be based solely on the material included in this dossier. For complete guidelines, application and more information, visit the MASA Web page at http://www.morris.umn.edu/committees/MASA/MASAAward.html

Gieske Academic Award: The Political Science Discipline is accepting applications for the Gieske Academic Award for the 2005-06 academic year. The Gieske Academic Award is offered annually to an outstanding political science major in their senior year. Recipients will have an exceptional record of accomplishment at UMM as well as strong prospects for success after graduation. The recipient of the Gieske Academic Award will be recognized at the Student Honors and Awards Ceremony in May 2006. Applications should be picked up and returned to the Social Science Division Office in Camden Hall. Completed applications are due Friday, March 31, by 4:30 p.m. in the Social Science Division Office.

Gieske Internship Award: The Political Science Discipline is accepting applications for the Gieske Internship Award for this academic year. The Gieske Internship Award is offered annually to an outstanding political science major in their junior or sophomore years. Recipients must complete an internship in the 2006-2007 academic year and should have a strong record of accomplishment at UMM. Applications should be picked up and returned to the Social Science Division Office in Camden Hall. Completed applications are due by Friday, March 31, at 4:30 p.m. Recipients will be notified by April 10, 2006.

David Minge Public Affairs Internship Award: The Political Science Discipline is accepting applications for the Minge Internship Award for the 2006-2007 academic year. The purpose of the Award is to provide financial support for students doing internships on the federal level. Recipients must complete an internship between June 1, 2006 and June 1, 2007. You do not have to be a Political Science Major or Minor to apply all majors are eligible for this award. Preference for the award will be given to internships done for UMM credit that integrate the study of peace, justice, conservation, the environment, rural affairs, or similar issues in keeping with the value of a public liberal arts college. Completed Applications are due by Friday, March 31, at 4:30 p.m. in the Social Science Division Office in Camden Hall. Recipients will be notified by April 10, 2006.

The following scholarship application can be completed on the Web at
http://www.morris.umn.edu/financialaid/returnscholar.html or pick up the application from the Admissions and Financial Aid Office:
The 2006-2007 Gertrude Gaffney Hanlon Memorial Scholarship is awarded to UMM returning students with Irish Nationality and financial need. This scholarship is renewable to past recipients. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a requirement. The priority deadline to complete and submit the FAFSA for the University of Minnesota, Morris to the federal processor is by March 1. Complete the FAFSA on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. UMM's Federal School Code is 002389. The deadline date is April 3, 2006.

Attention Nontraditional Women and Men Students: Applications for the Carol E. Macpherson Memorial Scholarship and the University of Minnesota Alumnae Scholarship are now available. You must be 28 years of age or older, returning after a five year or longer break in education, and admitted to or enrolled in a degree-granting program at any U of M campus. Financial need is critical. Six to eight awards, ranging from $1,000 - $4,000 are awarded annually. Letters of recommendation are required. The Macpherson is open only to women the U of M Alumnae Scholarship is open to women and men. Stop by the Office of Continuing Education, 225 Community Services for an application or you may go to the Office for University Women web site at www.umn.edu/women and click on "Macpherson/Alumnae Scholarships" to bring up the application for downloading. Deadline is April 28, 2006.
For current and archived news, events, and sports, visit
http://www.morris.umn.edu

Weekly Bulletin is published by the Office of University Relations and sent electronically campus wide each Wednesday afternoon throughout the academic year. Submissions of items for publication are accepted by noon each Wednesday to Judy Riley at rileyjk@morris.umn.edu.

The University of Minnesota, Morris is a public liberal arts University that provides a rigorous undergraduate liberal arts education, preparing its students to be global citizens who value and pursue intellectual growth, civic engagement, intercultural competence, and environmental stewardship.